AudiencScapes

Finance Minister Tendai Biti announced last month that the government has spent several millions of dollars on ICT infrastructure and related initiatives.

Tawanda Karombo

Harare, Zimbabwe -- Recent announcements indicate that the government is shoring up Zimbabwe’s communication infrastructure. While presenting a US$3.2 billion budget for the 2011 fiscal year before parliament on November 25, Zimbabwe Finance Minister Tendai Biti revealed that the government has invested US$7.7 million in a fiber optic project.

Biti framed the decision as part of the unity government’s bid to promote the use of information and communications technology (ICT).  Given the unity government’s inability to make major decisions, the announcement of the $7 million is a rare instance of positive government action.

Biti cited the lack of cohesion in the coalition government as one of the stumbling blocks toward Zimbabwe’s full economic revival. Last week, the unity government was salvaged from total collapse by South African President Jacob Zuma, who whipped President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai back into line. Mugabe and Tsvangirai have been involved in bitter wrangling over the appointment of key government officials. Mugabe says he wants elections next year while Tsvangirai and his MDC party say the environment is not yet conducive for free and fair elections.

Amid this fractious political environment, the fiber optic project is progressing. The project, which will bring high-speed broadband internet to Zimbabwe, is expected to link Zimbabwe to undersea internet cables through other southern African countries such as Mozambique and South Africa.

According to Biti, the money was spent on the fiber optic link connecting Harare and Mutare in the east of the country. “To date, 228 km out of the 261 km have been excavated and pipes covering 101 km have been laid.” Most of the work has been done by TelOne.

Currently, Zimbabwe uses the Mazowe satellite link for internet connectivity but this is said to be slow and a bit expensive. Government officials have previously said that all the equipment required has already been delivered and that finalization of the connection to the fiber optic undersea cable will be finalized before the end of this year.

Economists and ICT sector players surveyed by AudienceScapes are skeptical about Biti’s “small budget for ICT” despite the fact that the sector plays a crucial role in the revival of Zimbabwe’s economy.

“The Finance Minister should have availed much money to the ICT sector because in the near future, the economy and the nation will depend on things such as the internet,” said economist Jeffrey Kwangwari. “For me, although there are other pressing things like salary wages for civil servants, he should have given more money to ensure that Zimbabwe has affordable broadband internet through the fiber optic link.”

Biti also revealed that the government has made efforts to improve broadcasting transmission. “In addition, an amount of US$1 million was availed to Transmedia for the construction of new base stations,” he said. “This should enhance reception of broadcasting services across the country.”

Transmedia is a state-controlled company that builds and maintains broadcasting transmission infrastructure.

Biti said the government was continuing with a comprehensive program to develop Zimbabwe’s schoolchildren with computer knowledge and skills. One million dollars has been set aside for the procurement of computers for schools, both primary and secondary.

Biti did not give any specific figures for future spending, but he did indicate that the government was committed to growing the ICT sector.

Tawanda Karombo

Tawanda Karombo is a freelance journalist living in Zimbabwe, covering southern Africa. He can be reached at tawakarombo@yahoo.co.uk.



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